Starting Over

Every 3 years it's the same old song and dance. We pack up everything we own and move to a new city and a new Air Force base. The typical things happen...D starts a new job, we find a new place to live, we learn new neighborhoods, shop at new stores, and find new doctors, dentists, and hair stylists. But the one part of the moving process that never ever gets easier (and people tend to forget about)? Making new friends. It's my least favorite thing in the world to do. I know that's probably a loaded statement, but finding myself as a complete stranger (knowing absolutely no one) in a new place makes me feel 30 different kinds of weird and vulnerable. Starting from "friendship scratch" will forever be a daunting endeavor. 

D and I have never really had problems making friends. In fact, I think we're quite good at it. I've got the gift of gab and D is cool as a cucumber in almost every social situation. A dynamic duo, if you will. But even with glowing social skills and lots to talk about, we still find the tasks of finding friends, all the way to building friendships, something of a beast to tackle (at least in its beginning stages). Some may think it to be "old hat" to have to start over making new friends every few years, but we still get nervous, we still feel awkward, and we still hate breaking the ice (and not every friend we meet is a friend we necessarily want to keep...but that's another post for another day!). I think it's human nature to want to retreat into a hole whenever the thought of having to put yourself out there becomes something of necessity more than it is a luxury. Having friends and acquaintances outside of just your significant other, old friends, and family members is an integral part of adapting to a new place, in my opinion at least. I know for D and myself, it's one of the first things we try to do when moving to a new city or state...or foreign country, for that matter. Even though we know we have to do it, friend making can take a toll on me emotionally, sending my nerves into overdrive until that first friend meet-up is over and done with. After the first initial social ice-breaker, we build confidence and momentum in the whole process. The nerves dissipate a bit and we remember that building new relationships is also fun and exciting! It may take time, but we know it's worth it. Friendships are good for our minds, but essential for our hearts.

That's where we find ourselves just 3 weeks into our Florida relocation. Now that we've secured the house, the jobs (for D, at least), the familiarizing ourselves with our new surroundings...it's time to venture out and make ourselves some friends! Thankfully, D's new squadron is chock-full of new faces to meet. In fact, we've already broken the ice and had our first two social experiences here in the Sunshine State! Praise the Lord! We spent Saturday night mingling with 5 super sweet couples at a backyard BBQ and then had dinner last night with D's squadron sponsor and his lovely wife. It's interesting how both D and I can be so out of our minds with nervousness before these meet-ups, but after, so pumped and hopeful as we download our experiences at home with each other that night. So far, our friend-making attempts have been positive and far from scary. Granted, as the years pass by, we find ourselves more selective with who we build friendships with (you live and you learn, am I right?), but one thing remains the same...the need to find friends who build you up, are supportive through the tough times, and who are just plain 'ol fun to be around. I've got to say, it's so nice being back in the South! Southern sweetness abounds in this city! While the art of making friends is something I might never find easy, it's definitely an exciting and rewarding part of life. As the saying goes...

"Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other, gold!"

Is friend-making something that makes you nervous, too?

How do you cope with being a stranger in a new city?

Any tips or words of the wise for those of us navigating making new friendships? 

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

New Year's Eve in Brussels

Dodging the rain by hopping from bar to bar to sip Belgium's finest beers, meeting European locals in a brasserie who bought us rounds and filled my purse full of old bottle caps, 4 friends squished into a table made for 2 in a Grote Markt cafe eating crepes & laughing at the poor souls stuck out in the rain...these are just a few of my favorite memories of our New Year's trip to Brussels, Belgium. The crowds were thick, the bars huddled full of tourists, and the fireworks shooting off in the streets as the sun went down basically terrified the pants off of each of us, but what else do you expect celebrating NYE in Europe? 

When I got a call from my college roommate saying that she and her hubby Mark wanted to spend New Year's somewhere fun in Europe with us, Brussels was my first thought! D and I had never been (although we were no strangers to Belgium) and had heard while there isn't too much to see, the festivities surrounding the winter season in Brussels were worth braving the crowds for. We spent our first half day exploring the city, getting our bearings, and introducing Nancy & Mark to Belgian beer. The city was bustling with activity, much more than we expected. After eating a late lunch in the Grote Markt (Brussels beautiful town square), we visited the winter market (a mega huge Christmas market scattered throughout the city), ate Liege waffles, and got birds-eye view of the city atop a giant glistening Ferris wheel (recap to come...so beautiful!). We also stopped in for some Flemmish stew at a brasserie on Lombard street and met two of the funniest Netherlanders we'd ever encountered (stories to come)! Our NYE day (also known as the LONGEST DAY EVER) went something like this:

+ We souvenir shopped (Brussels has some pretty decent shopping areas). 

+ Gobbled up Neuhaus chocolates (a must in Belgium!).

+ Took the Brussels hop on-hop off bus to see more of the city. 

+ Had a mini photo shoot in front of the Manneken Pis (Brussels' famous bronze "peeing man" sculpture).

+ Bar hopped (Brussels has no shortage of amazing bars).

+ Ate NYE dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (because when D and I were missing yummy American food).

+ Made a stop at the famed Delirium Cafe (super touristy and super crowded, but the beer selection is extensive!).

+ Bar hopped some more (recommendations to come!).

+ Huddled into a small brasserie on the Grote Market to order crepes & cappuccinos for some energy...and laughed as dozens of people were turned away as they tried to storm the cafe when the rain started pouring. 

+ And finally made our way to the Mont des Arts with about a million other tourists to watch the midnight firework display. The place was a firework war zone. Terrifying & awesome.

WHEW, right?! Our bones were frozen and feet were bleeding by the end of that day, but we wouldn't have changed a darn thing. I warned Nancy & Mark that NYE in Europe was no holds barred when it came to fireworks and debauchery. Needless to say, Brussels did not disappoint! We all feared for our lives at least 5 times that night, but having experienced NYE festivities in both Frankfurt and Wiesbaden, I knew what we were in for. The crowds of people, however, made enjoying the fireworks a bit hard. Loud, drunken teenagers are annoying no matter the location. Thankfully, we made it back to our hotel by 1am, unscathed and filled with memories of another exciting NYE abroad. Would I recommend Brussels for future New Year's Eve celebrations? Sure! Just make sure to get a hotel away from the loudness of the Grote Markt, Mont des Arts, and the Rue des Bouchers (bar/restaurant alley). And prepare for crowds EVERYWHERE you go. If you can handle that, then Brussels is a wonderful place to ring in the new year! Bonne Annee, everyone! 

'Friendsgiving' 2013

Even though we were celebrating Thanksgiving far from home and our families again this year, we still hosted a small table filled with friends that have become like family here in Germany. That's one amazing thing about military life...at home and abroad. While you may not be able to share stuffing with your mom, dad, or crazy Aunt Phyllis, you do get to celebrate with your adoptive family, courtesy of the US Air Force. If I can't be with my real family during the holidays, I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be with. These friends are an extra special type of friend. Ones that have wiped tears through deployments & long TDYs, have rejoiced with you at homecomings, and have endured the same sacrifices as you've faced through the years. While they may not be blood, you create bonds that last a lifetime and move with you wherever the military sends you.

This was the first ever Thanksgiving dinner hosted at our place. After almost 7 years of marriage and homemaking, I'm almost ashamed to admit that! Needless to say, I'd been dying to host and cook a whole Thanksgiving feast all by myself, so this was the perfect opportunity to do just that. We have a small dining room (and tiny German oven!), so we could only invite a few of our dearest adoptive family members. I spent 2 weeks before the big feast planning the menu, shopping for fun tablescape decorations (I think I pulled off my rustic forest-inspired tablescape quite well--take that Sandra Lee!), and thinking up ways to make our guests feel special seeing as they were all celebrating far from home as well. D was a champ and helped wash dishes as I dirtied them up cooking and calmed my nerves when I started doubting my shaved brussels sprout salad. He made for an excellent sous chef...I think I'll keep him! :) From the second the turkey went in the oven until the moment it went into our bellies (well, not my belly, but you get the idea), everything went like clockwork. I've gotta give myself a major pat on the back for executing such a spread my first go-round! Here was what I cooked:

Cajun Roasted Turkey Breast w/Gravy

Honey Glazed Ham

Homemade Mac & Cheese

Roasted Garlic & Chive Mashed Potatoes

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad w/Bacon & Pecorino

Sweet Potato Casserole

Fresh Cranberry Chutney

Homemade Dark & White Chocolate Caramel Apples

We also had Green Bean Casserole, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, and an Apple Torte contributed by my sweet guests. To say were STUFFED would be a complete understatement! D and I munched on leftovers for 3 days after. Thanksgiving leftovers are the best kind of leftovers, I've decided. Turns out, this Thanksgiving feast thing isn't so hard. I can only imagine the feast I could put together with an American sized kitchen! Add that to the list of pros for moving back stateside next year! Suffice it to say, this Thanksgiving abroad was pretty darn wonderful. Our table, bellies, and hearts were full that day and I'm so thankful to have been able to host this year. 

Next year, though, I'll leave the cooking to my mom and MIL. ;) 

Tell me...how was your Turkey Day this year?